*Saving you some money in the Rock River Valley*


Welcome to our blog! While a lot of our deals may be specific to the Rockford area, you'll find many deals that are also good nationwide! We hope that our blog will be fun, informative, and that it will help you SAVE SOME MONEY!

Read here about our "Coupon Ethics"

Friday, January 29, 2010

A few Hilander deals for the MEGA Event!

I ran to Hilander to do 3 - MEGA Event "deals". That means I had to purchase 30 participating items and received $15 off my total instantly ($5 per deal).

I meant to do each transaction individually, take a picture and post them for you BUT I took two small children with me, had limited time and realized I purchased two non participating items that allowed me to use a coupon for a FREE participating item so it was slowly going down hill.

There are way more deals than this that I hope to post for you but this is what I have for you now:
(NOTE: the price I have listed is the price you pay after you purchase 10 and then I will put the total after coupons.)

**Kleenex tissue - .99
Use .50 off 3 coupon from recent newspaper insert
.66 a piece after doubled coupon and sale

**Capri Sun Juice packs - $1.49
Use $1 off 2 printable here (check out the other coupons also - there are several part of this sale) $.99 each after coupon and sale

**Kraft Naturals Cheese - $1.49
Use $1 off 2 printables here OR
Use $1 off 2 from recent newspaper insert
$.99 each after coupon and sale

**Sargento Cheese - $1.49
Use $.50 off coupon OR
Use $.55 off coupon from recent newspaper inserts
$.39 or $.49 after coupon and sale depending on coupon

**Solo Cups - $1.49
Use $1 off OR
Use $.75 off from recent newspaper inserts
$.49 or $.74 after coupon and sale depending on coupon

**Johnsonville Brats or Italian Sausage - $2.99
Use $.55 off 1 coupon in recent newspaper insert OR
USe $1 off 2 coupon from recent newspaper insert
$1.89 or $2.49 after coupon and sale

**Johnsonville Smoked Brats or Sausage - $2.49
Use $1 off 2 coupon from recent insert
$1.99 after coupon and sale

**Kraft Easy Mac and Cheese Cups - $.99
Use buy 3 get 1 free coupon from recent insert
$.74 each after coupon and sale

**Sobe Life Water - $.99
Use BOGO Free coupon in IE or Safari here
Both FREE after coupon and sale

**Dixie napkins and paper plates - $1.49
Use $.55 off coupon for napkins from recent newspaper insert
Use $.55 off coupon for plates from recent newspaper insert
$.39 after coupons and sale

**Rotel canned tomatoes - $.42
Use $.30 off from recent newspaper insert
FREE plus overage after doubled coupon and sale


There are so many, many more deals and coupon match ups that I am going to post a link to Bargain Briana for her post too. Her ad is from Central Indiana but from browsing it seems to be the same as ours. She has some links to some great printable coupons which will help those of you who don't receive the Sunday paper.

It's a MEGA Event Sale at Hilander

Going on now is the Hilander MEGA Event sale and it looks to be pretty promising if you need to do some stockpiling! For the MEGA Event sale you must purchase 10 qualify items and you receive $5 off your total instantly! I did not see any limits on how many "deals" you are allowed to do in one transaction.

The sales flyer runs through 2/3/10 but usually these sales run two full weeks so odd are it will run though 2/10/10 just in case you don't have time to run out by the 3rd.

There are lots of unadvertised products that are marked in the store but not in the flyer. I will hopefully be making a quick trip in a day or two and will keep you posted.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Cheap Men's Deodorant at Walgreens

There are not many good deals at CVS or Walgreens this week to lure me out until I saw very cheap men's deodorant. I was just telling someone how I used to get men's deodorant free constantly but the past year or so . . . no deals. I only have one left in my stockpile?!

Walgreens this week has an in ad coupon for Mens' Suave Deodorant or regular Suave Deodorant - 2 for $3. Sunday's (1/24) paper had a coupon for $1.50 off 1 men's Suave and $1 off any Suave deodorant.

Use the $1.50 off men's
Use the $1 off any
Use the in ad coupon
Final price: $.25 each!

Also, Chex mix is $.99!
If you have any .50 off coupon or .50 off 2 coupons - that is a great place to use them. The print limit was reached on the .50 coupon online.

For more Walgreens and CVS deals check out these posts by Common Sense with Money and see if there is anything you need.

Walgreens Deals for the week of 1/24
CVS Deals for the week of 1/24

AND don't forget to check out Anouk's post our church is accepting more items to be sent to Haiti until noon today!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Another opportunity to help

Did you miss the first call to help for Haiti we posted here but would still like to help? We just got another opportunity! Read about it here!

$2 Post Cereal Coupon

Go here and sign up for Post Natural's e-newsletter (go to bottom of screen for link), and they'll email you a $2 coupon off Raisin Bran, Grape Nuts, or Shredded Wheat.

Thanks MoneySavingMom!

Crazy Diaper Deal Week!

Well take your pick between this week and next you could score some good deals on diapers!

CVS . . .
We already posted the Huggies Diaper deal going on NEXT week (1/31) at CVS here. If you have the $2 off coupons, you will pay approx. $5.50 each for 2 packages after coupons and ECB's. CVS is one of my personal favorite stores so even though that maybe $.25 higher a package I would go with them over Walgreens.

Deals for this week:

Walgreens . . .
Purchase $25 in participating items get $5 in RR. Now the participating items include Huggies diapers, wipes, Enfamil formula so depending on your coupons and your need this week Walgreens might be the place for you. If you purchase just diapers, and used 3 $2 off coupons here you would pay $5.32 a package after coupons and RR.

If you have formula coupons or "checks", you could combine the deal with diapers and formula for an even better deal. The good thing about Walgreens is this deal in unlimited, you just can't "roll" - don't use the $5 RR on the same deal because another $5 RR won't print, however it would lower your out of pocket on the 2nd deal and may be worth it to stock up.

Target . . .
This deal is my favorite and will probably be the deal that I do if they are stocked with diapers when I get there.

Buy 3 packages of diapers Huggies OR Pampers (mix and match or all of one or the other) at $8.99 and get a $5 gift card. You will just have to see what coupons you can gather and have on hand to get the lowest price possible. This is what I will be doing:

Buy 2 Huggies packs and use 2 $2 off printable coupons here
Buy 1 Pampers pack and use a $2 off coupon from the current P&G insert and a $2 off Target coupon from a recent newspaper insert
Total after coupons and gift card will be $4.66 a package.

If you are lucky enough to have more than one of the Pampers Target coupons and P&G coupons this would be a fantastic deal!

There are also $1.50 off Huggies coupons here - they are on the Target website but it is a manufacturer coupon.

To lower your out of pocket for these $5 gift card deals I always save a $5 gift card to "roll" these deals. It is like having a $5 off coupon for the deal to start and I get my $5 back at the end to save for later. I just keep it in my small coupon file.

I hope those are laid out for you to understand - any questions please leave a comment!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

FREE Veggie Tales DVD

Go here to pick out a FREE Veggie Tales DVD and pay $2.99 in shipping.

Big Lots Coupon

If you are a member of the BigLots Buzz Club, then you can print this coupon for 20% off your entire purchase through January 31,2010. If you aren't a member then sign up here and print the page and take it with you to the store along with the 20% coupon.

FREE Tickets to the Chicago Auto Show!

Go here to read about the Chicago Auto show coming up in February. If you are interested in attending go here, fill out the form, print it and take it to a participating Chicagoland or NW Indiana dealer listed here.

Obviously, they are while supplies last. We used to go to the Milwaukee Auto Show, so I am very interested in going to the Chicago one!

Thanks MoneySavingMethods for the tip!

Kraft Cheese coupon

Go here to print a $1 off 2 packages of Kraft Natural cheese. Hilander has then on sale this week for $1.49. That makes than $.99 a bag!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Great community rallying!

Wow! God is good! The word got out about our supply drive and so many responded. We packed 118 boxes at an estimated value of $250,000! There were lots of surgical tools, medical supplies, and baby formula! You can read about it here.

Thank you to all out there who contributed to the success of this drive! Thank you to the TV stations that covered it and got the word out. We only had about 24 hours to get it all together, and, by God's grace, it went SUPER! If you'd like to watch the news clips about it, here they are:

13 News (WREX)

23 News (WIFR)

17 News (WTVO) and full interview here

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Having Problems Printing Coupons?!

UPDATE: for you Mac users out there - if you're like me, you haven't been able to print the great coupons from bricks / coupons.com. Apparently Mac updated our software and coupons.com is working on getting their system to work with the update by the end of the week! Hang in there!

Here is a great article from Southern Savers, we thought you might find helpful. I know the number one question I get is "why won't my coupons print?" . . . so hopefully this will help some of you. Read it here.

Auntie Anne's FREE Pretzel Day

Mark your calendar for Friday, February 20th, from 10am - 3pm and go to Auntie Anne's Pretzel Company inside Cherryvale Mall for a FREE pretzel. Can you say YUMMY! See their post here.

Enjoy.

Upcoming Huggies Deal at CVS . . .

Print your Huggies coupons now and save for the week of 1/31 for a deal at CVS.

The deal will be . . .
Buy $20 in Huggies products get $5 in ECB's
Diapers will be $10 a package and wipes will be $3 a tub.
Print $2 off Huggies diapers and $.75 off Huggies wipes coupons.

Suggested deal . . .
Buy 2 packs of Huggies diapers
Use 2 $2 off coupons
Pay $5.50 a package after coupons and ECB's

Remember this deal is not until 1/31 but print your coupons now before they are gone if you are interested. Limit one on the deal.

Thanks for the heads up Common Sense with Money.

Walmart deals

Before I post a link to some updated Walmart deals here is a great coupon for snack bars. . . .

BOGO Free Sunbelt Granola Bars or Fruit and Grain Bars - these are $2 a piece at Walmart so $1 a piece after coupon!

Now for the rest of the deals check out Common Sense with Money here.

There is still time to help in Haiti!

If you read Anouk's post here about helping in Haiti, we just wanted to let you know that there is still time to donate through 6pm tonight at the Meg's on Alpine and until 7pm tonight at our church. Our church is located at 3426 Colony Bay Dr., Rockford, IL 61109.

Read the post here for specific supplies but they are requesting baby formula and medical supplies. Check it out and see if you can help.

If you want to give a monetary donation, go to Global Grace and click on the orange donate button. Global Grace is a ministry of our church Morning Star Baptist. Check out their blog too.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

A Small but Tangible Way to Help Haiti

If you're like me, you've been wondering what you can do to help with the great need in Haiti. There are many ways, I'm sure, but I want a way that I KNOW will be of help.

So, if you're in the Rockford area, there is a way you can help, but it's a "in the next 24 hours" type a way! Our church has a good contact and has found a way to be of tangible help. You can read about it here!

Our church, Morning Star Baptist Church, is located at 3426 Colony Bay Drive, Rockford, IL 61109

Monday, January 18, 2010

Reinforced-knee jeans


I don't have children, but I've heard that active kids can wear out a pair of jeans pretty quickly - especially when it comes to the knees!

So I thought this article on reinforcing the knees in jeans was pretty ingenious, don't you think?

Opting out of credit card rate change

Mary Hunt (I've recommended her books before here) has an excellent website. Today, I found her article "When You Should Opt Out of a Credit-Card Interest Rate Increase" particularly helpful as I know it will affect many credit card holders. Take a minute to read it!

**Please note that the website is free to access. There are some tools and articles that are available only to subscribers, but many articles and helps are available to everyone. You can also sign up for daily emails with tips and info - super helpful and free!

CVS Weekly Deals 1/17/10

If you are a Pepsi fan there is a deal for you at CVS this week.


**Purchase $20 in Pepsi products and get $10 in ECB's. (limit 2)
There are no pop coupons available but that is like getting 6 - 12pks for $10.

Also, included in the Pepsi deal are Lays, Tostitos, Stacy's and other snack/drink items. Check page 2 of the ad. Check out the deal scenario from Money Saving Mom. If you are hosting a Super Bowl party, you could do one deal with just Pepsi and one deal that Money Saving Mom laid out and have some great deals for your snacks!


**3 day special only for Valentine M&M's through Tuesday.
Purchase 2 Valentine M&M's for $5 and get $2 in ECB's
Use $1 off 2 coupon from recent newspaper insert
$1 a bag after coupon and ECB's


**All Pampers Jumbo packs of diapers from Swaddlers through Cruisers - $8.88
Use $2 off coupon from the January P&G insert
$6.88

CVS Bonus Deals through February 14, 2010 . . .
(These bonus deals are all in one specific isle!)

**Buy 2 Oust Sanitizers at $3.99 get $6 in ECB's (limit 3)
Use the BOGO Free coupon from 1/3 Smartsource insert
Pay $4.57 includes tax and get $6 in ECB's back!

**Buy 1 Johnson and Johnson specially marked products - wash, bubble bath, or lotion at $4.49 get $2 in ECB's (limit 3)
Use $1 off printable here or a $2 off printable here
$.49 - $1.49 after coupons and ECB's

**Buy 1 6pk of SoyJoy Bars at $6, get $6 in ECB's
FREE

Friday, January 15, 2010

A few Hilander deals through Wednesday, January 21st

Here are a few good deals going on at Hilander this week:

**Betty Crocker Potatoes - $1.05
Use .35 off coupons from recent newspaper inserts
$.35 after coupons

**Hunts 4 pack of pudding - $1
Use .30 off 2 coupon from recent newspaper insert
.70 each after coupon

**Classico Pasta Sauce - $3.26
Use Buy 1 Alfredo get a free Tomato pasta sauce coupon from recent newspaper insert
Use $1.50 off purchase of 2
.88 each after coupons

**Birds Eye frozen veggies - $1
Use .35 off 1 from recent newspaper insert
.30 after coupon

**Free Starkist tuna - see post here

**Free to cheap Pillsbury crescent rolls, biscuits and sweet rolls see post here AND
print more coupons here or here too.

**Hall cough drops - $1
Use .50 off coupons here
FREE

**Blistex - $1.09
Use .25 coupon from recent newspaper insert
$.59

**Chapstick medicated - $1
Use .50 off 2 coupon from recent newspaper insert
.50 each after coupon

**Annie's Organic Mac and Cheese - $1.49 (it does go on sale for $1 but I was out and my kids love Annie's)
Use .50 off printable coupon
.49 after coupon

**Pillsbury's Brownie Mix - $1
Use .40 off coupon from recent newspaper
.20 after coupon

**Gatorade G2 - $1
Use .50 off coupon from Sunday's paper
FREE

**Willy Wonka Gummies - $1 (in the candy isle)
Use $1 off coupon here in IE or here in Safari
FREE

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Crocs sale online!

There is a great deal going on today at crocs.com! Check out their outlet here as the shoes/boots listed there are Buy One Get One FREE - you can mix and match!

There is also a winter sale going on with 30% of the winter selection listed here.

Try the code CROCSHOLIDAY to get an additional 10% off your order and all orders right now qualify for FREE economy shipping.

Happy Crocs shopping!

Semi Annual Sidewalk Sale at CherryVale Mall

Starting today, January 14th through January 18th CherryVale Mall is having their Semi-Annual Sidewalk Sale. There is bound to be some great winter clearance deals!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Free Tuna at Hilander

Print this $1 off 1 Starkist Tuna in IE or here in Safari and get the small pouches free starting tomorrow at Hilander.

Pillsbury Coupon

Here is a $.50 off 1 printable Pillsbury crescent rolls, sweet rolls or Italian bread coupon which will make them free starting tomorrow at Hilander.

Print it here for IE or here for Safari.

more Target deals . . . because I forgot

Okay . . . a little brain skip there forgot a couple more things I was going to mention at Target. . .

**Barnum Animal Crackers are $1.15
You know the cute little train box with the handle!
Use $2 off 2 Nabisco Cracker printable here
$.15 a box (Rumor has it these are $1 at Walmart if you shop there.)

**Yo Plus or Fiber One Yogurt Packs - $1.50
Use $1 off 1 coupons here - you can print 2 Yo Plus and 2 Fiber One coupons
$.50 a pack

Target Deals for the week . . .

Sorry it has been so quiet here lately . . . seeing as this is a hobby more urgent and pressing things seem to get in the way sometimes.

Target is having some GREAT clearance sales this week! Boots 75% off and lots of them. Clothes in every department. In the girls section I found corduroy pants for $3.24, shirts for $1.74 and lots of great other deals. In the toddler boys section I found Hanes sweatshirts and pants for $.98 and 75% off their three piece Christmas outfits! 50% or more off the girls Christmas dresses. Lots of good deals to be found!

**Emerald Nuts on sale for $2 for peanuts and $2.99 for mixed nuts.
Use $1 off peelies on each bottle - Target coupon
Use $1 off printable
Free or .99 depending on which nuts you buy.

**Juicy Juice packs on sale for $2.25
Use $1 off 2 Target printable
Use $1 off 2 manufacturer printable
$1.25 each after coupons!

**Dunkin Donuts Coffee - $6 buy 3 and get a $5 gift card!
Use $1.50 off 1 coupon from recent newspaper insert
Pay $3.83 a bag after coupon and $5 gift card.

Check out Stretching a Buck for a few more Target deals this week. FYI, the Target on 173 is out of the Special K Fruit Crisps Bars and no rain checks are available.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Fraudulent Coupon Alert!

Go here to read a quick post about counterfeit coupons. Be especially leery of coupons that come to you via forwarded emails!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Cute envelope template

For those of you that have ever taken one of our coupon classes (or the "Pinching Pennies" workshop I taught at our church's Grace & Truth Ladies' Conference a few years ago), you have probably seen the fancy envelopes that I use for my cash and my coupons. Some of you have even asked how I made them.

Well, today, I just discovered another lady who is as obsessed with pretty envelopes! She also uses the "cash system" (that's a topic for a whole other finance class), and has a template on her blog for a great envelope-cash-system!

Check it out!

Free audiobook for Laura Ingalls Wilder fans

TODAY ONLY go here to download a free audiobook of "The Long Winter." It's starting to feel like the long winter here in Illinois, so it seems like a timely freebie! Enjoy it with your family.

Thanks MoneySavingMom for the head's up!

FREE Johnson's Buddy Soap

There are two ways this week to get more free Johnson's and Johnson's Buddies Bar Soap. . .

One, from Sunday's newspaper use the $1 off 1 Johnson's Baby Product coupon.

OR

Two, print two $1 off 1 Johnson's Baby Product coupons here from Red Plum! (Make sure you print the coupon that says Johnson's Baby product NOT Johnson's Body Care product.)

Target sells them for $.97 and Hilander and CVS has them for a little over $1.

Good deals at Hilander

Just wanted to bring your attention to a few good deals at Hilander this week (until tomorrow) - sorry it's "last minute" but I just got around to looking at the paper on Sunday. Looks like it's the week to stock up on meat!

**Ground Chuck - $1.67/lb
(it is $1.59 at Logli, but to me $0.08/lb savings is not enough to run to another store)

**Tyson Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast - $1.87/lb

**Boneless Pork Loin - $1.77/lb
Funny thing is that their Boneless Pork Chops are $2.99/lb. I just buy the loin and have them cut it into chops! Much cheaper.

**Post Cereal - $1.88 each
use $1.00 off 2 from 12/06 insert = $1.38 each

**Wholly Guacamole - $1.00
use $1.00 coupon from this weekend's insert = FREE!

**Dannon Yogurt - $1.88
use $1.00 off 32 oz from 11/15 insert or $1.00 off DanActive 4pk from 12/06 insert = $0.88

Happy Shopping!


Printable Gift Card Offer for New Prescriptions for Target

Target released a coupon on their website for a $10 gift card when you use their pharmacy. It can be a new or a transferred prescription. Print the coupon here.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

CVS Deals week of 1/3/2010

Walgreens this week wins in the better deals department this week but I was in need of laundry detergent so here is what else CVS has to offer:

**All laundry detergent - $3.99
Use $2 off 1 coupon from Sunday's newspaper and from a November insert too
$1.49

**GE Energy Saving lightbulb - $2.99 get $2 in ECB
Use $1 off 1 coupon from Sunday's newspaper
FREE after coupon and ECB's

**Soy Joy special marked package box - $6 for 6 bars and get $6 in ECB's
FREE after ECB's

**York Peppermint Patties - $.87 in Christmas 75% off
Use $1 off 2 from Sunday's newspaper
.74 for 2 after sale and coupon

The CVS on Alpine and Riverside has Christmas at 75% off and some great hair accessories for 75%!

Walgreens Deals week of 1/3/10

There are some good deals at Walgreens this week enough to make a person that doesn't like Walgreens actually go there!

**Robitussin cough syrup - $5 each purchase 2 get $3 in RR
Used 2 $2 off printable coupons here
$1.50 a bottle after coupons and RR - considering my husband went through my stockpile of Robitussin over Christmas break - that is a good price for me!

**Electrasol dishwasher tablets - $3.49 get $1 in RR
Use $2.50 coupon from Sunday's newspaper
FREE after coupon and RR!!

**Sensodyne toothpaste - $5.99
Use $1 off printable coupon here
Use $2 off in ad coupon
$2.99

**Reach Toothbrush - $3.99 (purchase 2)
Use $1 off 1 Reach Toothbrush from Sunday's paper
Use BOGO FREE coupon from Sunday's paper
FREE and $1 profit
BONUS: Look for the specially marked package that says BOGO FREE to get 4 for FREE!! There were lots of these at the Walgreens on Apline and Riverside

**Stayfree maxis - $6.29 (purchase 2)
Use BOGO FREE coupon from Sunday's paper
Use $3 off in ad coupon
.29 for 2 packages

For a few more deals checkout:
Common Sense with Money OR
Deal Seeking Mom

Also, remember to hand over the coupons in this order:
Register Rewards, then manufacturer coupons, then in-ad coupons. If you are using a RR, remember to have the same number of items and coupons and RR's so the register won't beep. If you aren't using RR then it doesn't matter.


Friday, January 1, 2010

A free one-day pass to Disney?

Go here to find out how to get a free one-day pass to in Disney's "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" promotion. I guess they announced this back in September, and the promotion starts today. Quantities are limited, so check it out soon if you're curious or interested!

Thanks FrugalGirls for the head's up!
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